GALLERY

Britons refusing to shake hands at Olympics? Bloody rubbish!

The British government has rejected advice from the Olympic team’s top doctor that athletes should not shake hands at the London Games to avoid germs that could make them sick.

Government health advisers seemed perplexed by the guidelines, put forth Tuesday, which Olympic hopefuls derided as “rude” and “pointless.”

By the end of the day, the British Olympic Association had softened its stance.

Yes, the athletes will be able to greet the 10,000 visiting Olympians and hundreds of dignitaries with handshakes. They’ll just have to make sure they wash thoroughly later.

“Team GB’s 550 athletes will of course warmly welcome their fellow competitors from around the world this summer — there is no question about that,” BOA communications director Darryl Seibel said.

“We are not advising our athletes to avoid shaking hands. We are simply reminding them to follow common-sense measures by maintaining good hand hygiene to minimize the risk of becoming ill,” he said.

Trivia time

Former Pittsburgh Steeler teammates Franco Harris and Lynn Swann share a few things in common, including a birthday today, with Harris two years older at 62. They also played on four Super Bowl winners together, each received a Super Bowl MVP honor and both ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Who was inducted first?

This coach needs a timeout

LSU women’s basketball head coach Nikki Caldwell has had a busy week, to say the least. And it’s only Wednesday.

Caldwell gave birth to Justice Simone Fargas at 5:44 a.m. Tuesday — less than two days after coaching the Lady Tigers in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

A university release says Caldwell and the baby are resting comfortably with her longtime boyfriend, Justin Fargas, a former Oakland Raiders running back.

The university also indicates Caldwell’s rest will be short, as she will coach in the team’s 21st NCAA tournament appearance.

Play begins March 17.

Major league manners here

Mr. Kevin Edmund Youkilis is nothing if not proper. Not only does the Boston Red Sox infielder own a career .391 career on-base percentage, he also has manners befitting his polite Midwestern upbringing.

From Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, comes this tale of a child asking the esteemed Mr. Youkilis for the favor of a baseball, but doing so in a rather gruff, impersonal and some may say, rude, manner: “Hey, Youk, give me a ball,” the youth crassly implored.

Youkilis looked up and said, “What’s the right way to ask?”

Chagrined, the kid said, “Can I please have a ball?”

Youk tossed the kid a ball.

“Don’t ever forget that for the rest of your life,” he said.

Tebow decides to punt

Sal Iacono, who writes for talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel, says , “Tim Tebow has announced he’s not going to be on ‘The Bachelor.’ What a shame! I was looking forward to 25 girls telling him, “You incomplete me’. ”